Bexhill League's £35,000 generosity

The league's general committee has heard from chairman Peter Mitchell-Davis, secretary Sue Bryant and treasurer Robin Barnett of letters of gratitude from the towns doctors' surgeries following the gift of more than 120,000 worth of equipment by the league.

The gift was approved late last year and surgeries are now reporting how effective the new equipment is proving in meeting their expanded role in offering a range of services and procedures in-surgery.

The league's December meeting approved a series of requests from the hospital's Irvine Unit which, because of an NHS administrative delay had not gone through the formal "bids" procedure.

Now committee members have heard that this paperwork had now been done. The equipment had been ordered and some was already in use.

The list included:

*Three Genius infrared thermometers - total cost 450

*Two Vital Signs blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation meters - total cost 3,600

*Two Tuffsat pulse oximeters - total cost 1,100

*Ten wheelchair armrests - 335

*Four pairs of legrests - 306

*Four stump boards - 196

*Nine assorted wheelchairs - - 8,889

*Three Tinova mattress systems - 8,889

*An Encore patient hoist - 10,416

Last Thursday's meeting approved a grant which will enable threatened Tai Chi classes for heart patients at Bexhill Health Centre to continue.

Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust meets the administration costs of the classes and provides the accommodation.

But the league was told that British Heart Foundation funding for the cost of an instructor would end on March 31.

The league has approved funding for the next three years at a total cost of 4,800. The grant is subject to annual review.

The meeting approved gifts towards the provision of three key items of equipment for the Conquest Hospital which will be of value to Bexhill patients treated there. In each case the Conquest league is meeting 50% of the cost.

The Bexhill league is giving 1,417.50 towards the cost of anaesthetic pumps for the theatres and critical care unit.

It is giving 4,600 towards the purchase of two child-size fiberscopes for throat and nasal diagnosis.

At present, the Conquest has only adult-size equipment which can cause discomfort for children undergoing diagnosis.

The Bexhill league will meet 50% of the 28,135 cost of a mobile ultra-sound scanner for checking neck lumps and thyroid tissues.